Eastern Leatherwood
(Dirca palustris)
Eastern Leatherwood (Dirca palustris)
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Reuven Martin
Public Domain
Image By:
Reuven Martin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Reuven Martin | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Reuven Martin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-06-22T12:22:17-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Dirca palustris, commonly known as Eastern Leatherwood, is a deciduous shrub native to the understory of deciduous forests, often found in rich, moist woods and along streams in the eastern half of North America. It grows to a maximum height of about 3 meters and is known for its flexible, tough branches. The flowers are small, yellow, and bell-shaped, appearing before the leaves in early spring, which can make them inconspicuous. They are not as showy as those of the Spicebush, with which it is often confused due to the similar timing of flowering.
Eastern Leatherwood is valued for its rarity and unique characteristics, such as its pliable branches that were historically used for making ropes and thongs. It is occasionally cultivated in woodland gardens, naturalized areas, or as an understory shrub in shaded parts of the landscape. It thrives in part shade to full shade and requires medium amounts of water, adapting well to a range of soil drainage conditions. While it is not commonly found in cultivation, it can be a conversation piece due to its uncommon nature and the historical uses of its wood.CC BY-SA 4.0
Eastern Leatherwood is valued for its rarity and unique characteristics, such as its pliable branches that were historically used for making ropes and thongs. It is occasionally cultivated in woodland gardens, naturalized areas, or as an understory shrub in shaded parts of the landscape. It thrives in part shade to full shade and requires medium amounts of water, adapting well to a range of soil drainage conditions. While it is not commonly found in cultivation, it can be a conversation piece due to its uncommon nature and the historical uses of its wood.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 4-6 feet
- Width: 4-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Deciduous forests, often found in rich, moist woods and along streams
Other Names
Common Names: Moosewood, Ropebark, Wicopy, Bois De Plomb, Dirca Des Marais, Dircé Bois-De-Plomb, Dircée Des Marais
Scientific Names: , Dirca palustris,
GBIF Accepted Name: Dirca palustris L.